We're on the cusp of December, but if you think the next month is all about Christmas lights and mulled wine, think again! We flicked through Funzing to find a load of unusual events with the kind of community feel that often gets a bit lost in a city like London.

There's everything from alternative workouts to unexpected food and drink pairing — take a look at our favourites below.

LET'S HULA HOOP:Looking for an alternative after-work exercise? Try hula hooping: Obie from The Majorettes leads an hour-long class that will get you moving, laughing and sweating. £12, various dates from 7pm-8pm

SHOP AT BOROUGH MARKET WITH AN EXPERT:Away from his office job, Tamas has a real passion for cooking and exploring food markets. Join him for a walk around Borough Market: before the tour, he'll send you three recipes, so on the day you'll go on a mission to find the perfect ingredients to cook the dishes at home. Learn top tips for food market shopping and taste delicious products from the stalls. £25/£20, 3 December from 11am-1pmBook Now

WHISKY & FOOD PAIRING:Whisky lovers ahoy! Have yourself a pre-Christmas treat this year by joining Julia from the South London Wine School for an evening of food and drink tasting. Discover the different types of whisky while you sip six different drams, each time matched to a specific selection of canapés. £30, 3 December from 7pm-9pmBook Now

DIY CANDLES:Looking for a handmade gift idea this Christmas? Learn how to make your own candles, how to colour them and use different fragrances to make them scented. Naz will guide you through the process, and you'll go home with four personalised candles. £29, 5 December from 10am-1pm

PAINT LIKE BANKSY:Have a go at painting like elusive street artist Banksy at this pop-up painting class in Bayswater. Learn all the skills you need — art materials are provided. £29,5 December from 7.30pm-10pmBook Now

SECRETS OF LITTLE ITALY:Fascinated by Italian culture? Let Caroline guide you through Clerkenwell, the historical spot for London's first Italian community. Your tour will include St Peter's Church, a secret Italian club and delicious coffee and pastry. £20, 6 December from 10.30am-1.30pmBook Now

LEARN THE ART OF SUSHI:Making sushi at home has always been quite a challenge — why not learn the secrets from a Japanese chef? Restaurant owner Keiko will take you through the process for making the perfect sushi roll, giving you an insight into Japanese food culture and some tasty sake, too. £29, 6 December from 12pm-1.30pm

CRAFT BEER WORKSHOP:Always dreamt of making your own beer? Join Malcolm in his south east London home as he teaches you his secrets of beer brewing, step-by-step. You'll learn how to use a basic brewing kit and be given a list of trusted suppliers. £25, 6 December from 1pm-2.30pm

PORK PIES IN A PUB:Professional baker Jojo thinks that pork pies are sexy (we agree). Join her for a cooking class in a historical south London pub and learn how to make pies for your family and friends. £29, 7 December from 7pm-9pm

TRAMPOLINE WORKOUT:Want to try the ultimate fitness experience? Jump your ass off at this trampoline class in Uxbridge, lead by trampoline master Andrea, who brought this unusual and high energetic fitness workout all the way from the Czech Republic. This 50-minute intense workout will increase your stamina and you'll burn up to 1200 calories. £12, 9 December from 8pm-9pmBook Now

CHEESE & WINE:Have you ever tried goat’s cheese with a glass of sancerre? Or stilton with a dessert wine, such as sauternes? Wine expert Julia takes you on a tasting experience that combines six different types of wine with matching food — perfect for a pre-Christmas treat, or to help give your own festive parties a lift. £30, 10 December from 7pm-9pm

CHRISTMAS BAKING:Get into the festive spirit with this workshop hosted by Lucy, where you'll bake and ice your own Christmas tree cookies while sipping on mulled wine and listening to Christmas music.All equipment including aprons and ingredients are provided, plus you'll get to take your creations home with you (and the recipes so you can do it all over again). £20, 11 December from 7.30pm-9.30pm Book Now

BRAZILIAN LONDON: Join tour guide Claudia for a different look at our city, discovering its connection with the Brazilian and Portuguese communities. Find out where to drink the best caipirinha in London (and sample some of it), tuck into delicious snacks and learn some samba moves. £25, 12 December from 2.30pm-5pmBook Now

HEARTWARMING CHOCOLATE:Join Le Cordon Bleu trained chocolatier Ela for a hands-on lesson on making Christmas chocolate. She'll teach you how to whip up three different types of truffles, and you'll leave with a festive goodie bag. A perfect handmade Christmas gift for someone special... if you can stop yourself eating them all. £35, 16 December from 8pm-9.30pm

DANCE CAPOEIRA:Learn the basics of capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that combines dance, music, body language and community spirit. Join Charley, experienced capoeira teacher for an evening of relaxed learning in a friendly environment — all levels welcome. After the lessons, you will have the chance to mingle with others over a glass of wine. £9,17 December from 7pm-9pm Book Now

FESTIVE LONDON:This one-off discovery tour reveals unknown stories of festive London. Listen to expert tour guide Andrew, who will entertain you with stories of the world’s most famous spy, a cigar smoking cat, American prohibition smugglers and the man who invented trousers. £13,17 December from 6.15pm-8.15pm

YUMMY ITALIAN BREAD:Learn how to make the perfect Italian bread from Elia, who's been baking and making pizza since 1974. Try your hands at focaccia, simple cakes and bruschetta — bring home at least one type of each bread, and try lots of delicious Italian food. £45, 19 December from 9am-12pm

CHARITABLE KNITTING: Want to do something for a good cause this Christmas? Learn to finger knit and raise money for war refugees with Knit Aid. Shahnaz will teach you how to make three colourful necklaces with your hands — all materials will be provided, and money raised from the event will be donated to charity. £20, 19 December from 2pm-4pmBook Now

TAILOR IN A DAY:Step in the footsteps of Alexander McQueen and others, by making your own clothes. Join Craig from The Fashion Box for a six-hour masterclass on pattern-cutting and sewing in Seven Sisters. All you need to bring is yourself — all fabrics, zips and sewing materials are included. £49, 20 December from 10am-4pmBook Now

SHOOT LIKE ROBIN HOOD:Fancy yourself as a bit of an Errol Flynn? Set your inner Robin Hood free with 2020 Archery's practical session. During your hour-and-half training, you will get tuition, full equipment, insurance and around one hour of (supervised) shooting. £25, 21 December 7pm-8.30pm

TRADITIONAL DJEMBE DRUMMING:Join Sue and the London African Drummers for an evening of traditional African music in Mile End. During this hands-on class you will learn the basic rules of drumming, and a variety of rhythmic styles inspired by different African regions. £20/£10, 22 December from 7.15pm-9.15pmBook Now

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BIKE TOUR: Hop on your bicycle and follow Jess as she takes you around London's Christmas markets, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland and the most extravagant displays in the city centre. This three-hour guided tour includes helmets and safety equipment. £25/£22, 26 December from 3.30pm-6.30pmBook Now

DOCTOR WHO vs HARRY POTTER:Two great heroes — both have saved the world from the evil. But when danger comes, which one would you call? Make your mind up on this special tour lead by Andrew, focussed on uncovering the filming locations and London places that inspired both the Doctor and Harry Potter. £10/£8,27 December from 2.30pm-4.30pmBook Now

INDIAN BRICK LANE:Walk the streets of Brick Lane with expert tour guide (and Indian food enthusiast) Raj, who will take you on a delightful walk to taking in the best traditional Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cuisine in London. During the tour you'll sample different varieties of curry, sweet and sour dishes, sweets and drinks — make sure you turn up hungry. £40, 30 December from 7pm-10pmBook Now

Do you have a particular hobby, professional skill or interest you'd like to share with other people? You can host your own local event on Funzing — find out more on their website.